Faunistic Composition and Spatial Distribution of Scorpions in North Khorasan Province Northeast of Iran

Faranak Firoozfar
Vector-borne Diseases Research Center, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran, Department of Public Health, Faculty of North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran

Abedin Saghafipour
Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran

Hassan Vatandoost
Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Mulood Mohammadi Bavani
Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran

Masoumeh Taherpour
Department of Public Health, Faculty of North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran

Abstract

Background: Scorpions pose one of the most important public health and medical problems in tropical and subtropi­cal regions of the world, especially in developing countries. This study was conducted to determine the fauna and spatial distribution of scorpions.
Methods: In this descriptive study, scorpions were captured using ultra-violet (UV) light, pitfall traps and digging methods in North Khorasan Province, northeastern Iran in 2017. After being encoded, the collected scorpions were stored in plastic containers of 70% ethanol and then transferred to the medical entomology lab of Tehran University of Medical Sciences for species identification based on morphological keys. In addition, Arc GIS 9.3 software was utilized for mapping spatial distribution of scorpions.
Results: Overall, 143 scorpions were captured and identified. All of collected scorpions belonged only to Buthidae family. They were also classified into four genera (Androctonus, Mesobuthus, Odontobuthus, Orthochirus) and five species: M. eupeus (59.44%), A. crassicauda (16.78%), O. doriae (12.59), M. (Olivierus) caucasicus (9.09%), and O. farzanpayi (2.10%). Furthermore, spatial distribution of scorpions was performed in this area.
Conclusion: Regarding the diversity, high frequency and wide geographical distribution of scorpions and their long-term seasonal activity in this area, the probability of occurrence of scorpion sting is high. Therefore, in order to pre­vent the occurrence of this public health problem, health educational programs be implemented by health- care pro­viders in the area.

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